Remembrance Weekend 2019

REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND 2019

We gathered at Pocklington last weekend to remember those who died while serving with 102 (Ceylon) Squadron.

The weather had been horrendous. John Williams was stuck in flood bound traffic for hours on his journey from Kent and our hearts went out to those people living quite close to Pocklington who had been flooded out by the River Don breaching it's banks.

Sadly there were only four of us to pay respects to the crew of G George at the Beckside Centre on the Saturday morning which was understandable given the terrible travelling conditions. We laid the wreath and made our silent tribute. (Photos below

Sunday dawned with bright sunshine and we made our way to St. Catherine's Church at Barmby Moor. On arrival we found out that our Chaplain, Reverend Jan Hardy, had had to go to her family because her mother was seriously ill. At less than 24 hours notice the Reverend Peter Nelson had stepped in and between the stalwart Church Warden Gordon Fallowfield and us we quickly adapted. The Church was full to the point of people having to stand in the entrance at the back. (Our thoughts went out to Rev. Jan during this difficult time.) The page in the Squadron Book was turned by Najla Bartlett who had only recently had a knee operation but insisted on performing the duty. John Williams gave the Kohima Exhortaion.

In the absence of an Officer from RAF Linton Ouse which is closing, we were very fortunate to have an honour guard from the Pocklington School Combined Cadet Force, directed by Cadet Force Officer (and Teacher) Patrick Dare. They took part in the service conducted by Reverend Peter and then provided the guard at the Commonwealth War Grave Memorial service in the churchyard where Graham Horton laid the Association wreath. We also had the support of Barmby Moor Parish Council whose Chairman and the Mayor and Mayoress of Pocklington Town Council who laid wreaths there.

We then raced up to the Airfield memorial at the Wolds Gliding Club where Reverend Peter conducted the Act of Remembrance and the silence. Wreaths were laid by the Mayor and Mayoress of Pocklington Town, the Chairman of Barmby Moor Parish Council, the Association by John Williams, the Gliding Club and relatives.

We retired to the Gliding Club Clubhouse where refreshments were served by Tonita the Club Admin Officer, in the absence of Judith and Colin Stevens.

Graham Horton, John Williams and I then took part in the Pocklington Town Remembrance Parade during which Graham laid our wreath at the World War 2 War Memorial.

A busy weekend but the most important one in our Association calendar.